Christmas has past, the trade freeze is over and Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager is well known for making his trades in advance of the NHL trade deadline. This is why I would not be surprised if Burke would seal a deal this January.
Brian Burke quote (from ESPN);
“We are listening to a lot right now and there is a good chance something will happen but I don’t think it’s going to happen today or tomorrow,” Burke said. “This is like hunting. Sometimes when you’re hunting, you get a feeling you’re going to stumble on something, or birds are coming in and you get a sixth sense something is about to happen. I don’t sense that here right now. We’re talking to a lot of teams about a number of things — mostly we’re listening because we like our group — but I can’t sense if something is imminent or not. Right now I’d say it’s not.”
For the last week or so, rumors have surfaced in Anaheim, that Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan could be headed out of town before the NHL trade deadline. The Ducks have done poorly this season, as they stand in second last in all of the NHL.
Now you might ask why do we need Getzlaf in blue and white?
Getzlaf is a quality player that you can put on the ice in any situation.
At 6′ 4″ and 225lbs, Getzlaf is a powerful center who fits the Brian Burke mold perfectly. Getzlaf is young and has one more year on his contract after his season.
What will Brian Burke need to give up in order to acquire a much need center?
In regards to Getzalf, Burke will need to give up one of their top centermen, either Tyler Bozak or Mikhail Grabovski, as well as Nikolai Kulemin. Kulemin’s ($2.35 million) and Grabovski’s ($2.9 million) annual salary is quite close to Getzlaf salary ($5.32 million). But to acquire a star like Getzalf I am afraid it may cost Burke either a 1st round draft pick, Joe Colborne or Nazem Kadri, as well as a defender, either Carl Gunnarson or Keith Aulie.
Now I’m not saying it will take all these option to seal a deal with the Ducks. But I believe that the Ducks will ask for Kulemin, one of our better centers, our top prospect or draft pick or one of our young, NHL ready defenseman.
Rant Sports Toronto Maple Leafs Feature Writer
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